Switch-tongue adjuster



(No Model.)

I. MOWDER.

SWITCH TONGUE ADJUSTER.

No. 449,558. Patented Mar. 31,1891;

PATENT FFICE.

ISAAC MOWDER, OF AKRON, OHIO.

SWITCH-TONGU E ADJ USTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 449,558, dated March 31, 1891. Application filed October 22, 1890- Serial No. 368,993- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ISAAC MowDER, a citiz n of the United States of America, residing in the city of Akron, county of Summit, State of Ohio, have invented an Automatic Switch- Tongue Adjuster, (a new and useful mechanism,) of which the following is a full, clear,

. and accurate description and specification.

My invention is intended to improve and perfect the means of automatically holding in position, moving, turning, and adjusting the switch-tongue or point on the switch-plate of a street-railway, to the end that cars may pass into and out of the switch without hindrance or obstruction.

This invention is a great convenience and benefit to street-railway owners, employs, and passengers,because it automatically holds the switch-tongue in proper place for the coming car, allows the car-wheel to open the switch for the passage of the going car, and then returns the switch-tongue into proper position for the next coming wheel or car. The adjuster thus avoids the delay and prevents the annoyance heretofore occasioned by the stopping of the car and the opening and closing of the switch by hand.

In coming into the switch the switch-tongue is not disturbed by the car. The approaching car-wheel finds the switch open, passes through, and leaves the switch open; but in going out of the switch the car-wheel finds the switch closed. The pressure of the approaching wheel against the switch-tongue causes the tongue to turn and the switch to open. The car-wheel passes out of the switch and the adjuster automatically turns the switch-tongue back into proper position for the next coming wheel or car. I accomplish these objects by means of this invention, the mechanism of which is presented and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In these diagrams the same letters always refer to the same parts in the different views.

Figure lshows the top view of a switch plate and switch tongue with the switchtongue adjuster underneath the plate and tongue in position as it is used. Fig. 2 is a view of the bottom of the switch-plate and switch-tongue with the switch-tongue adjuster in position for use, the whole being inverted or turned upside down. Fig. 3 represents a vertical transverse section of the switch-plate and rails and the switch-tongue with the switch-tongue adjuster under the plate and tongue. The transverse section of the switch plate and tongue is also the longitudinal section of the switch-tongue adjuster. Fig. 4 presents the switch-tongue adjuster alone, separate and apart from the switch-plate and switch-tongue. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal vertical section of the switch-tongue and switchplate, showing a vertical transverse section of the switch tongue adjuster under the tongue and plate.

My invention consists in the combination and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter set forth and claimed. It comprises an iron bar AA, preferably cylindrical, a spring 0, spiral steel preferred, a sleeve H, with which is connected a preferably conical post B, making a combination, (marked L,) atapering iron pin E, and rubber or friction washers D and D. The entire mechanism is placed in an opening out out of the under side of the switch-plate P P, and is fastened to and held in position in the aperture by the barAA and the sockets S and S in the plate. The bar A A is kept in place by the two sockets S and S in the plate P P and by the tapering pin E, which extends through the plate P P and the side of the bar A A. The spring 0 is held in position by the bar A A and acts by means of the sleeve and post L upon the switch-tongue F. The post B upon the sleeve T extends above the upper surface of the plate P P into a socket in the under side of the switch-tongue F, as shown in Fig. 3.

In coming into the switch from the direction M N the switch-tongue F is held in the position F F, the switch being open ready for the approaching wheel by the pressure of the spring 0 upon the sleeve and post L, and by means of the sleeve and post L upon the tongue F. The car- Wheel" passes into the switch without disturbing the switch-tongue and moves on along the rail R, leaving the switch open for the next coming wheel or car.

In going out of the switch in the direction 0 K along the rail R the car-wheel presses against the switch-tongue F, turning it into the position F F, thus opening the switch to allow the Wheel to pass through. In pressing the switch-tongue over into the position F F the sleeve and post the combination L is moved along the bar A A, closing the spring 0. hen the wheel has passed out of the switch, the spring 0 opens again and by its pressure moves the sleeve and post L along the bar A A, turning the switch-tongue back and holding it in its original position F F ready for the next coming Wheel or car. All this is done automatically and without the care or attention of any one.

The switch-tongue adjuster herein described is a piece of mechanism that is placed in and is operated from an openspace cut out of the under part of the switch-plate, which is an advantage of no small consideration. Every part of the gearing is under the switch plate and tongue and is perfectly out of the way of everything. It is scarcely possible for this adjuster to become an obstruction to the running of cars or the passing of wagons, carriages, and pedestrians. The spring and Neither are the parts of the gearing liable to become obstructed and clogged up by the dirtaccumulations of the street.

My invention is simple, inexpensive, and economical, and the parts are easily replaced when disturbed or worn out.

I claim as my invention in this piece of mechanism and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. The combination of the bar fixed in the under plate, the sleeve and post, the switchtongue, and the means to actuate the said parts, as set forth.

2. The combination of the bar, the sleeve and post, the tongue, and a spring to actuate the said parts, as set forth.

The combination of the plate recessed in its under side, the bar, the sleeve and post, and the tongue, as set forth.

4:. The combination of the recessed plate, the bar, the sleeve and post, the tongue, and the spring arranged to normally press and hold the tongue to one side, as set forth.

ISAAC MOXVDER. lVitnesses:

CHARLES F. INeERsoLL, FRANK HANscoM. 

